Emergency: Changed spark plugs and engine sounds wierd

J

Jefflovesarlene

Registered
Just changed my spark plugs on my mark 8 98 non lsc. I had platnium plugs in but thought I would give the bosch platinum+4 a try. Not too bad to install (my first spark plug change on the lincoln). It currently has 129,000 miles. The sound is like a light hum and a slight vibration sitting in park and when I give it gas. Before the spark plug change, it was sounding great and running fine. Any help would be appreciated. Hope I didn't screw anything up. Was just hoping to save some money by doing the change myself.
 
Is the Check Engine Light on? Take it to Auto Zone and have them read the codes...let us know what they are, if any.

You probably cracked a rubber boot covering the spark plugs...one or more. Cheap enough to replace...couple of bucks each. Do not let anyone try to sell you the whole boot AND coil assembly. But boots only. They ARE available seperately.
 
Double check all your connections and make sure you got all the boots/coils plugged in.

To test which cylinder is mis-firing, remove the electrical connector on each coil(one at a time, i.e. unplug than plug back in) listening and looking at the engine to see if you notice a change in how its running. If there is one of the cylinders that you don't notice a difference when you unplug it, than that cylinder is your culprit. Remove the coil/boot/plug to figure out what went wrong, or what you didn't plug in. Its really hard to screw up a simple spark plug swap, just make sure the plugs you put in are the proper ones, and lay one next to your old plug and make sure they are the same length. Don't panic! :D
 
No check engine light is on. I am getting ready to go outside to check and see if I plugged the cable into the spark plug correctly. Are you guys saying I can cut on the engine and unplug a sparkplug at the same time to find the problem? I guess the top part attached to the tube (coil) is the boot right? Sorry I don't know my terminology but I am trying.
 
Opps....sorry it took so long to reply.

Yes, start your engine. Than unplug the little eletrical plug on the coil to listen for a difference in sound, than plug it back in. Only do ONE at a time. This won't hurt the engine at all, just make it miss a bit, until you find the cylinder that is giving you the problem. Once you do it, you'll see what I'm talking about.....its a SUPER easy way to diagnose a miss at idle.
 
Thanks all. I found the problem. It was the very back plug on the driver's side. The top black top wasn't plugged into the electric connector. ONce I plugged it back in, the engine purrs. Thanks so much. I checked at auto zone and the cables that plug into the sparkplugs sell for 109.oo. Why the heck so much? That wil be my next thing to replace.
 
First thing go back and get either some Autolite 764 or NGK TR55 plugs. The Bosch 4's are crap for this engine. Secondly, you can get after market "wires" from GMS for around 100 bucks and they are much better than the stock wires.
 
He don't have plug wires...he's got coil-on-plugs. (COP)...I've been using Plat 4's for 40K miles...work great in my '97. Only good for Gen II Marks.
 
Yes I know he has a gen 2. GMS makes a 4v COP kit which comes with new ropes and boots. They also have the kit which comes with all the coils as well.
 
"GMS makes a 4v COP kit which comes with new ropes and boots"

Must be a new term...I don't understand "ropes"!! Thought you meant "plug wires"....
 
Here's a pic of the kit:
28-1812Ssmall.jpg


You can see the silicone boots and the stainless steel wires/ropes it comes with.
 
46callaway said:
Yes I know he has a gen 2. GMS makes a 4v COP kit which comes with new ropes and boots. They also have the kit which comes with all the coils as well.
Click to expand...

Serge, who and what is GMS? Never heard of them and would like to know so as to add them to my list of suppliers. Forgive my ignorance in this, I just haven't ever heard of them (that I know of).
 
Granatelli Motorsports. They are known for having the first 7 second 4V Mustang vehicle in the 1/4 mile, and this was done many years ago.
 
46callaway said:
Granatelli Motorsports. They are known for having the first 7 second 4V Mustang vehicle in the 1/4 mile, and this was done many years ago.
Click to expand...

Thanks, it's definatly appreciated. I'll check them out and add them to my list.
Al.

PS; You frickin kidding me, 7 second quarter mile runs in a stinkin Mustang? Thats the kinda numbers the old funny cars were running when I was paying any attention to it! Made a few improvments and advancements over the years apparantly. When you say 4V are you saying 4 Barrel (venturi) or 4 Valve, (just curious)?
 
I agree with 46Callaway, loose the plus 4's. If it hasn't been too long autozone will exchange them, yes even though they are used. They can be a deadly mistake. I have seen some that run great, and I have seen some that cause damage. Having used them myself, I experienced nasty spark knock. I swtiched to autolite platinum and no more troubles. Your system calls for double-platinum. Some engines run great on them - but the computer systems in the Lincoln are very sensitive to changes. Ford told me it has something to do with the 4 electrodes and the timing that the spark uses to make contact. If you do some research on it I am sure you will find what I am talking about. Hope this helps.
 
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